Tough day for Irish as Thitikul leads AIG Women's Open

Leona Maguire best of Irish at two-over-par at Royal Lytham and St Annes

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand before putting a birdie on the 15th during day one of the AIG Women's Open 2026 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Picture:  Peter Byrne/PA

Leona Maguire endured a tough opening round at the final women's major of the year.

The Cavan star had a steady opening at the AIG Women's Open and was one-under after a birdie on the par 5 sixth at Royal Lytham and St Annes. However, a bogey immediately followed and three further bogeys on the back 9, slightly offset by a birdie at the last, left Maguire on two over, nine shots behind the leaders.